ITV/Comp Emmerdale Insider Share By Carena Crawford Nov 13 2025 By Carena Crawford Nov 13 2025 Robert fans found standalone Emmerdale episode 'disappointing' thanks to one thing Kev's story took over a bit Kev Townsend Robert Sugden Share By Carena Crawford Nov 13 2025 By Carena Crawford Nov 13 2025 Emmerdale fans feel ‘cheated’ after Robert Sugden’s standalone episode as they claim it wasn’t what they were hoping for. As flashback scenes aired Robert’s prison trauma, including a touching return for Faith Dingle, those watching at home wanted more – specifically more Robert and less Kev. Was Robert’s tale ‘diluted’ thanks for Kev? (Credit: ITV) What happened in Robert’s standalone episode? Wednesday’s episode (November 12) revealed what really happened during Robert’s six years inside. He confessed he’d been transferred back to Hotten in 2020 and put in a cell with Kev. Robert recounted the horror of being attacked by Jez and how Kev had saved him. As the months wore on, Rob and Kev grew closer and started a relationship. Robert then found out new evidence – that Lee’s brother Luke had also hit him over the head – meant he could appeal his sentence. Kev was unhappy at the thought of losing him so he stabbed himself. However he told Robert Jez had done it as revenge over Robert. It meant Robert felt guilty and like he had to stay close to Kev, quashing any hope of an appeal. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers However, Robert then got a surprise visit in prison from none-other than Faith Dingle. At this point Faith new she had cancer and was dying. She wanted to make sure her family were okay before she left and so was there to ask Robert to fight his sentence and save Aaron, who had run off abroad. Robert confessed he still loved Aaron “more than anything”. So she insisted: “Get him back and hold him tight because love like that should never go to waste.” Robert said Faith had given him the fire he needed to fight, but it was all taking a long time. He then found out about John and Aaron getting married and that was the final push he needed to force his solicitor to pull her socks up. Kev wasn’t happy at all about it and turned on the emotional blackmail. So Robert lied he was getting out because Victoria had a brain tumour. There’s more than one thing Kev hasn’t been honest about (Credit: ITV) Kev’s lies continued Meanwhile, in the cafe Kev was talking to Liam about lying to Robert about dying. Liam wanted him to be honest But then Kev confided he often lied. For example, he has told everyone he doesn’t have a kid, but in fact he has a son. He had a one-night stand with a barmaid called “Emma-something” and according to Kev she was a “right fruit loop”, who “got herself murdered a few years ago”. The son was put up for adoption and at that moment, Lewis Barton, whose mum was Emma Barton and was adopted, walked into shot… Faith’s return to visit Robert in prison was a high point (Credit: ITV) Fans complain about the Robert Emmerdale episode Many of those watching at home hailed the episode – in particular the performance of Ryan Hawley as Robert and the surprise return of Faith. But there was one thing that really got their goats: too much Kev. They felt the episode didn’t reveal anything vital that we didn’t already know about Robert and his time in prison. Instead it focused on Kev, his backstory and his secrets. Many protested the big reveal about Kev and Lewis could have waited until Friday’s episode instead. “The Kev is the father to Lewis twist feels like typical soap but wasted screen time in Robert’s episode. [Bleep] off with this twists obsession. Tell the story you’re telling not stop it half way to start another one,” fumed one on social media. A second added: “To me tonight’s so called Robert’s special prison episode was so disappointing, nothing new at all except for Robert’s lovely visitor. And the big twist I guess was that it was Kev’s special episode instead of Robert’s.” “All this Kev and Liam stuff we didn’t need till Friday,” said one more. A fourth wrote: “My only issue with this episode is how much space Kev got, even in present time. It diluted what could’ve been a powerful deep dive into Robert’s trauma and PTSD. Kev learning certain things could’ve been handled separately.” “Sorry for being so negative but I really feel like this should have been ‘Robert’s special episode’ and not Kev’s. I don’t care about Kev especially compared to Robert. We’ve missed him for SIX YEARS and Emmerdale chose to spend this episode more focused on a new character instead,” said a fifth. Robert’s time inside was all about him still loving Aaron (Credit: ITV) In defence of Emmerdale… However some defended it saying Kev’s presence was the whole point: “Makes me sad people being so negative about such a beautiful episode. This wasn’t about Kev (only in the sense that he stopped Rob from leaving). This was about how Robert continued to love Aaron while he was away. You’re missing out if you can’t see that,” they shared. Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Carena Crawford Nov 13 2025 By Carena Crawford Nov 13 2025 Next Story
